Kelly Ayotte on Abortion

Make birth control pills available without prescription

A pair of Republican lawmakers want women to be able to purchase birth control pills and other forms of contraceptives without a prescription, a move opposed by physicians' groups. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have introduced the
Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act that would require drug companies to start the process of selling their products over the counter. The bill would also waive any FDA fees associated with the change.

The idea is opposed by Planned Parenthood and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Both groups point out that under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to cover all FDA-approved forms of birth control.
If birth control pills and other contraceptives are available over the counter and not covered by insurance, prices could go up and access down.

Pro-life important for Supreme Court nominee, but not litmus

Q: Where do you stand on the issue of abortion and how much weight would this issue carry in confirming a Supreme Court nominee?

A: I'm pro-life. I argued a case before the US Supreme Court defending our parental notification law at the time that the
Governor disagreed with our decision. On a Supreme Court nominee, that's something I'd want to know their stance, but my standard for upholding a Supreme Court nominee I'd look at their whole record, and whether they'd uphold the Constitution.

Pro-life, with exceptions for rape, incest, and emergency

In interviews with the press, she gave some indications [of her stances on the issues]: When asked by the Monitor, Ayotte said she is pro-life. She later clarified that she would support abortion in limited cases, such as rape, incest or
medical emergency. Ayotte said she is against same-sex marriage and believes marriage is between a man and a woman.

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topics:

Public funding of abortions, (such as govt. health benefits and Planned Parenthood)

Appointing judges that will adhere to a strict interpretation of the Constitution [vs. accepting judicial activism]

The Christian Coalition voter guide [is] one of the most powerful tools Christians have ever had to impact our society during elections. This simple tool has helped educate tens of millions of citizens across this nation as to where candidates for public office stand on key faith and family issues.

The CC survey summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Prohibiting human embryonic stem cell research". [Supporting this statement means the candidate would ban such research; opposing it means the candidate would allow such research].

Prohibit federal funding for abortion.

Ayotte signed No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act

TITLE I: Prohibiting Federally-Funded Abortions and Providing for Conscience Protections

Prohibits federal funds from being used for any health benefits coverage that includes coverage of abortion. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services and plans receiving federal funds must keep federal funds segregated from any funds for abortion services.)

Excludes from such prohibitions an abortion if: the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or the woman would be place in danger of death unless an abortion is performed.

TITLE II: Elimination of Certain Tax Benefits Relating to Abortion

Disqualifies, for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses, any amounts paid for an abortion.

Excludes from the definition of "qualified health plan" after 2013, for purposes of the refundable tax credit for premium assistance for such plans, any plan that includes coverage for abortion.